The situation outside Lovely Professional University located in Phagwara, Punjab, escalated dramatically on Sunday night as a student protest turned intensely violent, resulting in direct clashes with local law enforcement. Furious students blocked the busy Phagwara-Jalandhar highway and set multiple vehicles on fire. Police vehicles were also targeted and damaged in the arson, leaving several police personnel injured during the chaos. In response to the widespread violence and destruction of public property, authorities have registered formal cases against multiple students involved in the unrest.
Unrest Sparked by Alleged Sexual Assault Rumors
The core of the dispute dates back to late Saturday night, when rumors spread across the campus claiming that an outsider had committed a sexual assault against a female student within the university premises. This explosive claim triggered immediate outrage among the student body. Enraged students went on a rampage inside the campus, indulging in heavy vandalism before moving out to blockade the national highway. Police stated that based on an initial complaint filed by the students, a case of sexual assault has been registered against an unknown person, and a special investigation team has been constituted to probe the matter thoroughly.
University Administration Dismisses Assault Claims as Rumors
Meanwhile, the university administration has firmly rejected all claims regarding any sexual assault incident on campus, labeling the widespread reports as baseless rumors. Addressing the media, LPU Dean Saurav Lakhanpal stated that when the students initially brought the matter to the attention of the authorities, the institution decided to treat it with utmost seriousness. However, after conducting a detailed and thorough internal investigation, the administration concluded that the entire narrative was built entirely on unfounded rumors rather than facts.
CCTV Footage and Room Inspections Shared With Students
Dean Lakhanpal elaborated that the administration fulfilled every reasonable demand raised by the students during the standoff. When students requested to review CCTV footage, the recordings were shown to them shortly afterward. Additionally, when they expressed a desire to inspect the specific room associated with the allegations, that access was also granted. The Dean noted that despite repeated requests, no concrete details regarding the identity of a victim or her hostel allocation have ever been provided. Although authorities continually urged students to file a formal complaint to initiate proper legal proceedings, the administration, police, and wardens maintained an open-door policy and pledged total cooperation.
Suspicion of Outsiders and Antisocial Elements
University officials believe that the volatile situation was fueled largely by rumors amplified by external elements. The Dean expressed strong suspicion that antisocial elements from outside the campus infiltrated the protest to orchestrate the vandalism and sabotage the peaceful academic environment cultivated by the students. Police are currently analyzing footage and gathering evidence to identify the instigators behind the highway blockade and the subsequent arson attacks.
